While one version of Shikama Dōji had been born as an Old Deus using the Spirit Corridor, another version was deeply analyzing and understanding very Spirit Corridor.
Shikama Dōji, as a transcendent being who had surpassed the laws, was unaffected by time and space.
Yet still, the laws held value for him—especially the subtle or significant differences between the laws of each world.
Some worlds were weak, others strong, and these differences made their structures unique.
The Spirit Corridor, as the origin of everything, was like a miniature version of the Root Vortex.
It was as if Shikama Dōji was dissecting the world itself—and in the process, he realized a new truth.
He understood that even relying on the Suniaster and the status of an outer god, he could not reach the semi-multiversal level.
The semi-pillar level was an entirely different domain—
Comparing a single god ruling over one world to a multiversal being ruling over infinite worlds was like comparing an ant to a massive giant.
Even though the Suniaster granted omniscience, omnipotence, and absolute dominion to its user, the multiversal level was millions of times beyond that.
A being on this level could destroy and recreate the entire multiverse with a single thought.
The energy required to reach this stage was tens of millions of times greater than that of a single world.
But Shikama Dōji did not despair.
If it was impossible to ascend to a higher level with the Suniaster in this world, then what about other parallel worlds?
What if he fused all the Suniasters across the multiverse of No Game No Life?
What if he became the sole god in every parallel world—could he then evolve into the omnipotent and omniscient god of the entire multiverse?
The answer was clear.
Even if a sudden leap to the multiversal level was impossible, reaching the semi-multiversal level was within reach.
After that, he would surely be able to digest the energy within and ascend to the multiversal level.
His chances of reaching the semi-pillar were high—
Unless an unexpected event or external interference got in the way.
Once he reached the semi-pillar, he would no longer be just a god—he would become the god of all times and places in No Game No Life, an absolute will ruling over everything.
Beyond the four fundamental forces, beyond the laws of the multiverse—he would become the highest will. Past, present, future—all under his command.
Shikama Dōji, with an excitement that had not burned within him for years, continued his analysis of the Spirit Corridor with renewed fervor.
The moment of surpassing transcendental boundaries, of achieving absolute power and omniscience, was near...
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In humanity's sanctuary:
The divine blessing of Shikama Dōji sparked a wave of fervor among humans.
Among them, Riku gained the most power—so much that he was only one step away from becoming a demigod.
It was no surprise; once a nonbeliever, after meeting Shikama Dōji he had become a zealot, and now, having received the blessing, had been elevated to a saint.
A saint is someone with blind, unwavering faith in their god—even in the darkest of conditions.
Like Joan of Arc who believed in God even in her fallen version.
Yet the faith of other humans was not weak either.
Unlike the greedy generations of the future, they were almost pure—ready to sacrifice their lives for others, like angels.
Alas, the world of No Game No Life was not for the weak.
Here, weakness was an unforgivable sin—even the strongest could fall.
The fragments of divinity granted humans power based on the sun.
During the day, their power doubled—an advantage that allowed them to fight against superior races.
It also brought secondary abilities like holy magic for healing and purifying dark forces, and sharing power among humans.
The definition of evil depended on the user—if someone was considered evil, the holy magic would work against them.
Meanwhile, Riku was praying in the church when he suddenly sensed an explosion of energy ten miles away.
Its sudden appearance indicated spatial teleportation.
Only the Flügel had such an ability. In the past, Riku would have gathered the humans and fled as their leader...
But today's humans were no longer weak, hairless monkeys.
"I'm not the same person I used to be either."
Riku's eyes—now glowing with golden light—opened. His face was emotionless, neither happy nor sad.
When he exited the church, he turned into a golden meteor and shot toward the source of the energy—like a comet.
The owner of this energy, Jibril, didn't know she was about to face a monster.
Of course, even if she had known, she would've only gotten excited—all Flügel were, like their creator, battle-hungry lunatics.